doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Help Making Good Use of this Flues 16ga!

Hello, Guys! You all did me a solid about two years ago when you helped me realize that though my serial matches a 1928 lefever nitro special, it was actually a 1916 flues! Well I haven't done much bird hunting, so the sweet 16 hasn't seen much action (for squirrel a couple times, but I prefer a 22 for the challenge, though I end up cursing that I should have brought a shotgun instead by the end of the day!).

But last weekend I thought I'd go look for snipe in a spot where I'd seen them before. Well they were there... tried moving in on one and inadvertently flushed about seven. I failed spectacularly, followed one or two around in circles that didn't leave the field, probably shot off a dozen shells and didn't take a snipe. Driving home I thought that I should absolutely go again (it was fast and fun, even if a failure!) and that my 16ga double gun might be the perfect fit.

So what I'm wondering is... I have an improved cylinder and a full choke on the left. I'm using the RST shells, which are only about 1200 fps... does it make sense to use different loads for each side? I know I've heard of other guys doing this, just wondering if anyone has experience trying different loads on each side and which might be more effective for which choke. I have two boxes of the 1oz 7 1/2 shot, so those will get put to use in one barrel (or both, if you guys think that is the way to go!).

Thanks for any help you can provide!

Yes, I would load the RST Spreaders in the tight barrel

http://www.rstshells.com/store/p/74-16-Ga-2-1/2-Spreader-Lite-Vel-1150-7/8-oz-Load-Case.aspx

I hunt woodcock which is a similar bird using 1 oz. RSTs as well. I use an IC/MOD combination in my sxs with #8s in the right barrel to fill out the pattern and #7s in the left for when they get out away. I've tried Polywad spreaders which opened the pattern even further with good results.
I use different size shot in each barrel simply to make the most of having two barrels and chokes.
Hope this helps, Karl

Why not try smaller shot size, #9 or RST makes #10 shot for woodcock. You said you don�t hunt much.....birds are hard to hit if you aren�t used to the flush. Just keep at it and don�t worry too much about the gun would be my suggestion.

The beauty of having two barrels and two chokes is that you can load and be prepared for very different ranges. I usually use different shot loads/sizes on either side when hunting pheasant, and some waterfowl.

Just use small shot on snipe. They get harder to hit as they get out farther from you!

Thanks guys. I def know that practice is what will help, but I have to buy ammo too, so might as well pick the best I can! It looks like I'll try the#8 in the right barrel and use these 7 1/2 in the left. I usually have always preferred having fewer, bigger shot to make sure anything I hit is dead, but if it turns out #9 will do it just as effectively for snipe, maybe I'll switch it up later. I doubt I'll have a chance to pattern either before the next time I go out. My schedule is pretty rough between work and the baby so waking up and sneaking out Sunday morning to hunt is about all I have!

Never shot any of those cocks myself, but a few other fast moving little things.
1200 fps lets you miss behind that bit easier, as if it's not the easiest thing to do anyway.
Swing through them fast, bum, belly, beak, & a whole lot of sky, bang. Then hopefully, flop.
O.M

No doubt I was missing behind. Bum, belly, beak, (blue sky), bang it is!

If they're flushing far enough out from you that your first shot may be as much as 20-25 yds., I'd forget #9s. I quit using them on dove and quail many years ago. Too many hits but lost birds. An ounce of 8s is plenty for the first barrel.

SRH

You should have just what you need for snipe. I use guns with every constriction imaginable but the IC/Full combo that you mentioned is my favorite. In fact, my 1924 Flues is one of a couple of guns choked that way. I don't use heavy loads, only stepping up to 7/8 ounce in 16 and 12 on the rare occasion that I use guns that big. 3/4-7/8 ounce loads of #8 will work for snipe anywhere. I hunt heavily pressured birds and there are days when most birds flush at 50-75 yards or more. Patience will get you some flushes at birds in range and all you have to do is make the most of those opportunities. Snipe are the most fragile birds I have shot and if you hit one it doesn't take much to bring it down.